Lane Team Guide: Planning Your Spring Garden

The weather may still be a bit frosty but the heat is on its way soon. Now is the perfect time to to get together all your supplies to start planning your spring garden. If you’re new to gardening don’t worry, we are too. We have decided to do some digging around (pun intended) and learn some tricks of the trade on how to get your garden growing.

Step One: Deciding What to Plant

The first thing that needs to be done when getting ready to start your first garden is thinking about what you want to grow. It’s important that you have a good soil combo for what you are trying to achieve with your garden. A spring garden usually consists of carrots, beets, radishes, parsley, peas, basil, cilantro and dill. But if growing veggies and herbs isn’t your thing you might want to consider flowers! Lilies, roses and pansies are all great for early spring gardening!

Step Two: Preparing Your Foundation

Whether you’re building a home or starting a garden, prepping your foundation is key. Clear the area where you’re wanting to start your new garden. Make sure it’s clear of any weeds and you’ve loosened up the ground to make sure there is space for your seeds to be able to absorb sun light, water and grow! Composting is probably the most helpful thing you can do to assure your garden will flourish. Not only does compost have the power to ward off harmful pests, it also is full of vitamins that help your new friends grow like wildfire. Coffee grounds are another great addition to your soil. Sprinkle a bit around your acid loving plants (i.e. tomatoes, radishes, potatoes, parsley, roses etc.) or add it to your compost so it can release small amounts of nitrogen and make those leafy plants get ready for snacking!

Step Three: Where To Plant Your Seeds

Now that your foundation is set it’s smart to know what plants work well together and which ones don’t. This will be important when planning the layout of your garden. Click here to review a list of what plants are compatible and which ones are a bit picky.

Step Four: Love Your New Garden!

You did it! You’ve started up your garden and pretty soon you will be ready to harvest. A few extra steps you could do to make your garden all the more secure from the cute little critters in your neighborhood is to put up a barrier. Whether it be chicken wire or a fence, your seedlings will need your protection. Another helpful garden accessory is a solar powered ultrasonic pest repeller. It is essentially a sensor you point at your garden. It produces a high pitched noise and makes the critters flee instead of sticking around and eating your newly grown carrot harvest. Totally harmless and quite successful from what we’ve seen. Last but not least make sure to water your plants daily and give them lots of love! Good luck with your new garden!

Still want farm fresh veggies but not a gardener? No worries! The farmers market takes place every Saturday in January-March from 8AM-1PM and April- October from 7AM-2PM. It’s located at 241 W. Main Street in downtown Lexington under the 5/3 Pavilion.

Photos courtesy of Emily Becker.